The donation that Ezekiel Elliott made to the Salvation Army during the Cowboys' win over the Redskins on Thanksgiving is going to cost him more than just the $21 he dropped into the giant red kettle. Elliott didn't get flagged for the celebration, but he reportedly will be fined.
According to a report from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on Saturday, the league fined Zeke $13,369.
#Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott will be making another donation after putting money (and later teammate Dak Prescott) in the Salvation Army bucket last week. The NFL fined Elliott $13,369 for unsportsmanlike conduct.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 1, 2018
This isn't the first time Elliott has made the Salvation Army a focal point during a touchdown celebration around the holiday season. Two years ago, Elliott jumped into the Salvation Army bin and got flagged for doing so, but avoided a fine. He later donated $21,000 to the cause as the Salvation Army watched donations spike after his celebration.
Trying to hide from Monday like... @EzekielElliott #TBvsDAL pic.twitter.com/Kft7LIZEu8
— Gerilyn Manago (@GManago) December 19, 2016
This year, Elliott didn't jump into the kettle after scoring a touchdown, but he did drop in $21.
Zeke to the 🏡
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 22, 2018
& tops it off with a donation right into the @SalvationArmyUS red kettle👏
You can donate now by texting "kettles" to 91999 pic.twitter.com/TO8iAATfcX
Later in the game, he put quarterback Dak Prescott into the kettle.
Dak plays Superman to find the end zone.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) November 23, 2018
Then Zeke dumps him in the @SalvationArmyUS Red Kettle.
(vid via NFL)pic.twitter.com/TY2P6faZA8
Now, he'll get fined for "unsportsmanlike conduct," according to NFL Network's report.
According to the Cowboys' official website, Elliott will match $21 donations to the Salvation Army (up to $21,000 total). Dak Prescott and the Cowboys will do the same, bringing the total to $63,000 from the team, quarterback, and running back.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys are suddenly 7-5 after a huge upset win over the Saints and appear to be heading toward the NFC East crown. They'll host the Eagles in a divisional showdown in Week 14.